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INSY 3020 Introduction to Occupational Ergonomics

INSY 3020 Introduction to Occupational Ergonomics. Dr. Robert E. Thomas Industrial and Systems Engineering Department Auburn University Spring 2005. ERGONOMICS. “ Ergo ” = Greek word meaning “work” “ Nomos ” = . . . “laws”

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INSY 3020 Introduction to Occupational Ergonomics

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  1. INSY 3020Introduction to Occupational Ergonomics Dr. Robert E. Thomas Industrial and Systems Engineering Department Auburn University Spring 2005

  2. ERGONOMICS • “Ergo” = Greek word meaning “work” • “Nomos” = . . . “laws” Introduced into literature in the 1840’s by Polish educator and scientist Jastrzebowski Wojciech.

  3. ERGONOMICS Ergonomics is a multidisciplinary activity that assembles information on people’s capacities and applies that information in designing jobs, products, workplaces, and equipment.

  4. Philosophy of Ergonomics “Fit The Task To The Person”

  5. Ergonomics Activities • Worker / Workplace Accommodation • Physiological Stress Prevention • Environmental Stress Prevention • Equipment design • Error Minimization

  6. ERGO VS. SAFETY • Safety generally concerns traumatic injuries (i.e “slam/bang’) • Ergonomics generally concerns chronic injuries (i.e. “slow”)

  7. Historical Events • Scientific management/industrial engineering (1880s to 1930s) • World war II (1940s) • Space program (1950s and 1960s) • Product & Environmental focus (1970s to ..) • Productivity focus (1970s to …) • Safety & Health focus (1980s to …)

  8. Traditional Meanings and Background United States = Human Factors Europe = Ergonomics Other Terms = Human Engineering Engineering Psychology

  9. Types of Ergonomics • Informational- Concerned with information interfaces and transfer • Physical- Concerned with physical interfaces including workplace and tool design • Organizational-Concerned with the design of organizations, jobs and activities (AKA as “Macro- ergonomics where large organizations or entities are involved

  10. How Ergonomics is Mostly Accomplished • By changes in the design of workplace or work area.

  11. Primary Techniques-Tools of Ergonomics • Methods Analysis / Design • Workplace/area Design • Equipment Design • Tool Design • Operator Assignments Note: Basic understanding of industrial engineering, biomechanics, psychology, and physiology, underlie these techniques.

  12. Examples of Ergonomic Designs • Angled soldering iron • Bent-handle pliers • Paint brush with pistol-grip handle • Meat-cutting knife with pistol-grip handle • Adjustable chair • Adjustable computer workstation

  13. Examples of Ergonomic Designs (con’d) • Assembly line that flips automobile onto its side • Moon-cut workstation • Automobile control panel • Adjustable-height conveyor belt • Adjustable computer keyboard

  14. “Secret” of Ergonomics “Adjustability”

  15. ENFORCEMENT OF ERGO • Under the General Duty Clause of the OSH Act • OSHA has issued draft ergonomics guidelines for nursing homes , retail grocery stores and poultry processing (http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/guidelines.html

  16. Current Primary OccupationalErgonomics Focus • Musculoskeletal CTDs - Of lower back - Of upper extremities * Neck * Shoulders * Arms * Hands

  17. Factors Influencing Ergonomics • Occupational Safety & Health Legislation • Equal Employment Opportunity • Product Liability Litigation • Quality of Life Expectations • Responsible & Concerned Management • Workforce Changes (Next slide)

  18. Workforce Changes • Composition of the workforce • Types of work • Where people work

  19. ERGO PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY • Human Factors and Ergonomics Society http://www.hfes.org/

  20. CERTIFICATION IN ERGONOMICS • Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics (www.BCPE.org)

  21. Benefits of Ergonomics • Improved safety and health • Increased productivity • Increased operator acceptance • Improved attitude toward change • Lower worker’s compensation premiums

  22. What’s Stopping Ergonomics? • Common misperceptions • “Ownership” conflicts • Omission from engineers’ training • “Quick-fix” focus • Ergonomics “costs too much.”

  23. The “Average Person” Designing for the “Average Person” --- Whoever they may be !!!

  24. Ownership Conflicts • Safety Vs.. Human Resources • Human Resources Vs.. Medical • Medical Vs.. Safety • Engineering Vs.. All of the Above

  25. Training of Engineers • Engineers are not taught ergonomics at universities • Fixation is on “things,” not on people

  26. Quick-Fix Focus

  27. Ergonomics Cost Too Much • Fixing Existing Ergo Problems= $4 Savings for $1 Invested • Prevention Ergo Problems during design stage( I.e. before tey occur)= $10 saving for $1 invested

  28. Summary • Ergonomics isn’t new • Fit task or work area to people • Ergonomics is accomplished by design changes • Ergonomics is “stopped/impeded” by several common misperceptions • Ergonomics is almost always economically beneficial

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